Homeschooling 101

 

If my kids and I are out and about before 3pm on a school day, we usually have at least 1 person ask why they are "out" of school.  We politely answer and carry on about our business.  Sometimes there are follow-up questions.  Sometimes there are positive remarks (sometimes the opposite).  When I meet someone new, often times, I'm asked why I chose to homeschool.  I politely tell them a few points of our decision depending on my time or situation at the moment.  It is often followed by, "I admire someone that could do that" or the opposite, "I could never do that!" and almost always something about their own patience level and the need for breaks.  

My kids have answered an array of questions that have mostly to do with how easy or difficult their work is or if they wear pajamas to school or even bother to get dressed.  Most are shocked to realize that homeschooling isn't really all that easy and we do get dressed in the mornings;-)  The advantage for the kids is that they don't have work to do in the evening (yet).  

I've been met with well meaning people (maybe?), sometimes educators themselves, that like to indicate to me that they have met a 10 year old student that had enrolled in their school that couldn't read.  To which, I politely nod and smile I suppose.  I have told someone before that the reason they are not seeing the successful homeschoolers is because...well...it is successful!  Those kids may never enter a public school classroom.  What does this have to do with me by the way?  I have had some well-meaning people tell me that they thought Kentucky should have stricter homeschooling laws and all kids should be tested.  Because the tests are the greatest indicator of learning?  They are a faulty (although the best we have perhaps) indicator of ones knowledge.  This, again, has little to nothing to do with me personally.  I actually had someone laugh at people getting homeschool diplomas.  Don't let those 2 words fool you when strung together.  Those kids earn their diplomas (and I'm not stating that they are getting GED's either). 

Some people seem to ease up on the questions when they find out that I have a teaching degree.  Actually, while my teaching degree may give me some theory, ideas, and terminology knowledge, I was never educated on how to run a 1 room schoolhouse, which is essentially what I'm doing.  It is different. You can be a successful homeschooling teacher/parent without having ever been to college yourself. Guess what?  You have to relearn most of the stuff even if you did go to college, because you forget! 

The funny thing is and has been for 3 years.  I really don't preoccupy my thoughts with the way other family's choose to educate their children:  public, private, or homeschool.  It isn't a big deal to me and I'm really not (contrary to what people may think about homeschoolers) going around secretly judging all that aren't doing exactly what I do.  I don't think that my way is better or that public school is evil. 

What I do believe is that homeschooling is a calling of God and not all are called to it just as all are not called to the mission field, ministry,  to lead up the Women's group at church, or to keep the babies in nursery. We are all called to do different things.  I've said that I would never homeschool and here I sit.  Sometimes God has to smack you in the face to get you to listen.  After starting this journey 3 years ago, giving myself time to acclimate to the changes in our home, we love it.  It is freeing!  We set our own schedule, we have more family time, my kids can play and explore to their heart's content, it fosters sibling relationships, I can choose their curriculum and its worldview, and they can work at their own pace and timing.  

What I have found out is that if you look at the pictures above, letting my kids read on the trampoline on a bright sunny spring day is homeschooling at its finest.  Micah so engrossed in a book that he can't let go of it and carries it to soccer practice, makes me feel like not allowing TV during the day is a great thing to motivate creativity and reading adventures.  What the future brings around here, I cannot tell you. I learned to put my crystal ball away years ago in the ministry, but right now, these days, the ones I'm living are some of the best that I will have in my short life. 

Ch ch changes...

First of all, we have had an eventful month.  Abbi accepted Christ on the 13th.  I knew she was contemplating it and asking questions for a while now.  She is a "ponderer".  She asks questions, weighs things out, and thinks about them.  Honestly, much like myself. After a lesson on the passover, she asked me some questions and I could see the look of seriousness on her face.  I answered them as tactfully and accurately as I could.  The Holy Spirit was all over me during that lesson and now I know why. I could just "tell" even before the questions that something big was about to happen in our little home.  She came to me later and said she had prayed for salvation, we talked some more, and celebrated that afternoon in this house over what God is doing in our family.  It is amazing to see your kids come to Christ!  Just simply amazing!

Also, after much prayer and contemplation for our church needs, we "coincidentally" attended Poplar Spring on the Sunday that we "coincidentally" chose to go to a particular Sunday school class (it was literally like eenie meenie miney moe and we just went into one) that "coincidentally" chose to talk about a new satellite church that would be located in Murray.  We were already discussing making the big drive to the lake every 3X a week, which is one reason we visited (although we liked to visit from time to time).  So, we waited for the vote which was the first Sunday night in March.  So, we attended the first week and it felt like an answer to a prayer for us.  It was closer for us to drive (not too much further than we were presently driving) and has the more casual contemporary service like we (aka my kids) are accustomed to.  We just tied up every loose end at our current church on Sunday, so we will start going to "The Spring" and "Poplar Spring" this next week!  I feel like I'm going back home.  My kids are on board and excited and I have some specific prayers that I'm hoping that God will show up on soon, but I am confident he will! 

I think that Community Fellowship helped us to heal from a very difficult time.  It was the first church where Jamie was not "paid staff" and we were able to volunteer freely without strings or expectations attached (nice!) and we met several really good people that I hope wont' be strangers.  We are used to moving around, but I really think our "moving" days are over!  I saw how incredibly amazing Poplar Spring was when my Daddy died and that is not something I have forgotten.  It has stuck with me close in my mind.  They are certainly a loving church family and we look forward to reconnecting there. 

Easter has come and gone, our school calendar is drawing to a close (4 more weeks), Jamie is teaching a class and has 2 more lined up (praise God for taking care of our financial needs), and summer vacation will be here before we turn around twice. 

Life is full of changes right now, but all for the better!